Angels keep sizzling into All-Star break

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Angels could not have gone into the All-Star break much hotter.

Literally and figuratively.

“You’re playing in an oven,” starter Tyler Skaggs after the Angels’ 10-7 victory over the Texas Rangers in 100-degree heat. “Have you ever had a blow dryer blowing on your face? It’s tough, but we persevered and won the game.”

Which is what they’ve been doing a lot lately.

The Angels have won 10 of their last 11 games, and 19 of their previous 23, to reach the break at 20 games over .500 (57-37) for the first time in franchise history.

They swept a four-game series against the Rangers for the first time.

“It’s fun to see the evolution of this team and see it doing things it’s capable of doing,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Hopefully that will continue as we get into this pennant race, because we’re going to need it.”

The Angels remain 11/2 games behind the Oakland A’s in the American League West, but they have an eight-game lead for one of two wild-card spots.

The latest victory was sparked by the players at the heart of the lineup.

Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton combined for seven hits and five RBI as the Angels outslugged the Rangers.

Pujols had three hits, his eighth multihit game in the past 10. Pujols is hitting .476 in that span, taking a .279 average into the break. Pujols drove in his 64th run, equaling last season’s total.

Trout drove in four runs, including three with a second-inning double. He hits the break hitting .310 with 22 homers and 73 RBI.

“It’s been fun,” Hamilton said. “Albert has got his stroke, working to all fields. It’s fun to watch both of them before you hit.”

The offensive outburst was enough for Skaggs to pick up a victory, even though he gave up six runs in five-plus innings.

Skaggs said he made too many bad pitches when he had a chance to put hitters away.

“It wasn’t the greatest outing,” Skaggs said. “I’ve got to keep working. I know they’re a last-place team. It’s frustrating. I have to do better than that.”